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Re: Goldenrod honey smells like crap...

I have 6-8 medium frames of golden rod honey still on my two hives that I am looking forward to pulling off. Plenty of stores in the deeps. I've caught a wiff of the stuff and while it is pungent It's not bad. I've heard it has a butterscotch kinda flavor and I am hoping so. This is my first year with two hives and I really didn't expect any honey so I am still trying to figure out the best and cheapest way to extract the honey. I'd prefer to keep the combs so I'd rather not crush and strain.

Any one have ideas for bulding a cheap 1-2 frame homemade extractor? I have several food safe plastic buckets that I might be able fabricate something from. Next year I'll invest in building something better.

Re: Goldenrod honey smells like crap...

Originally Posted by frankthomas

Any one have ideas for bulding a cheap 1-2 frame homemade extractor? I have several food safe plastic buckets that I might be able fabricate something from. Next year I'll invest in building something better.

Re: Goldenrod honey smells like crap...

My first years as a beekeeper, I had two hives and was lucky enough to get a little surplus honey for myself. I was worried about the smell of the honey. Even in the comb (I cut it from the shallow super frames since I did not have an extractor yet) it just didn't smell right. I took it to an experienced beekeeper, and he told me it was from goldenrod. Luckily it tasted nothing like it smelled. I like goldenrod honey just fine. We have a lot of goldenrod growing around here, and I consider it a blessing to help give the bees a late season boost before winter.

Re: Goldenrod honey smells like crap...

Same here. And when I had bought a bucket (3kg) of goldenrod honey from a neighbor, tasted rather good, similar to dandelion if you ask me.

Southern goldenrod has bad aromas, I guess?

I don't think it is offensive smelling honey at all. Down South it is darker honey and does have a stronger taste. Many people prefer this honey over the lighter milder clover or privet types. I like it all! It does smell up the bee yard when they are packing the pollen and nectar in though...

Re: Goldenrod honey smells like crap...

Originally Posted by frankthomas

I have 6-8 medium frames of golden rod honey still on my two hives that I am looking forward to pulling off. Plenty of stores in the deeps. I've caught a wiff of the stuff and while it is pungent It's not bad. I've heard it has a butterscotch kinda flavor and I am hoping so. This is my first year with two hives and I really didn't expect any honey so I am still trying to figure out the best and cheapest way to extract the honey. I'd prefer to keep the combs so I'd rather not crush and strain.

I've had a real problem getting my bees to make extra comb so it is pretty precious down here. I would not crush any of my comb as it does take time and energy for those bees to make it. Most BK'ers down here extract on their own or with a club member who has the equipment, let the bees clean it up and then reuse it when needed (protect from the moths) in the spring. Doing this allows they to concentrate on filling rather than building, IMO.

Re: Goldenrod honey smells like crap...

Originally Posted by homesteader824

My first years as a beekeeper, I had two hives and was lucky enough to get a little surplus honey for myself. I was worried about the smell of the honey. Even in the comb (I cut it from the shallow super frames since I did not have an extractor yet) it just didn't smell right. I took it to an experienced beekeeper, and he told me it was from goldenrod. Luckily it tasted nothing like it smelled. I like goldenrod honey just fine. We have a lot of goldenrod growing around here, and I consider it a blessing to help give the bees a late season boost before winter.

This year it looks like I may get enough Goldenrod honey to keep them in winter feed and still get some for myself. I am looking forward to this!

Re: Goldenrod honey smells like crap...

Originally Posted by pgmrdan

Does goldenrod make a really dark honey?

I'm in south central Iowa and I'm trying to figure out what kind of nectar is making the dark honey I just harvested. Another guy about a mile away harvested the same type of honey too so it's not something in my immediate vicinity.

Thanks,
Dan

I drove through Iowa in September and saw a lot of black eyed susans blooming the ditches.